Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce to unveil $1.7 million fundraising campaign

The Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday will unveil plans to raise $1.7 million over the next five years as part its strategic plan.

Kirk Mancer, the president and chief executive officer of the chamber, said officials will talk about the initiative, called Shelby One, at a luncheon at 11:30 a.m. at the Pelham Civic Complex on Aug. 29.

"We want to make sure Shelby County speaks with one voice," Mancer said.

Mancer said the mission of the program is for the county to be the economic hub and governmental leader in Central Alabama by 2016.

"Shelby County has done a great job of growing and I think the next step is to make sure that growth continues to be positive," he said.

The five-year strategic plan calls for public and business leaders working together to bolster education, employment, new and existing business and to enhance the quality of life for residents throughout the county, Mancer said.

"This is about collaboration between all of our public and private sector leaders," he said.

Mancer said he thinks in the next decade, Shelby County could be the fastest growing county in the country.